Talking Points....
Connect Fellowship 2/11/2025
Tonight, we have the privilege of reviewing parts 2 and 3 of Pastor Doug’s challenging series, “Am I A Witness?”
I. Am I A Witness? – Part 2
A. Am I a witness who takes the 5th?
1. We don’t want to be an MIA witness
2. Luke 5:1-11 - So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets. Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat.
When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”
But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless, at Your word I will let down the net.” And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!”
For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.
3. If the first instructions that Jesus gave His disciples was to go and be fishers of men, how important do we think sharing our personal story of faith is to the Lord and why?
B. If you are going to fish for people, make sure you have bait.
1. Bait is any story that highlights the goodness of God. Some examples of this are how you got saved, how God has healed you, how He has delivered you from an addiction, how He has restored your marriage, how He has set you free from something, how He has brought your joy back, or anything that highlights God’s goodness in your life.
2. Psalm 34:1-8 - I will bless the Lord at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul shall make its boast in the Lord;
The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
And let us exalt His name together.
I sought the Lord, and He heard me,
And delivered me from all my fears.
They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces were not ashamed.
This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him,
And saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him,
And delivers them.
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good;
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
3. Why is it important to have bait when witnessing to others about God?
C. If you are going to fish for people, fish where people are.
1. If you limit your story to the walls of the church, you are not maximizing Kingdom building.
2. Don’t stop telling your story at church. It is encouraging and a great place to practice. Just don’t only do it there because most fish aren’t in the church.
3. Most of the time we don’t need to go looking for someone, God will bring them to us. We need to be available and ready to share.
4. Share a time when you weren’t looking, but God brought someone into your life to share with, and you were available and ready.
D. Don’t leave a bad taste in people’s mouths, causing them to not want to hear about God.
1. Don’t be critical, judgmental or legalistic.
2. How can we make sure to not be these ways when we are sharing about God?
E. Every person has an innate desire to know God.
1. Ecclesiastes 3:11 - He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, He has put eternity in their hearts.
2. Jeremiah 24:7 - Then I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the Lord; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God, for they shall return to Me with their whole heart.
3. Since God gave everyone a desire to know Him, what are the things holding you back from sharing the Good News with the people who need to hear it?
II. Am I A Witness? – Part 3
A. Be a Kingdom Influencer.
1. As believers, God is calling us to be “Influencers” for His Kingdom. We are called to be “Influencers” in this world today.
2. What are some things we can say and do to be Kingdom Influencers in our daily lives?
B. Be Salt to a world that is lacking.
1. Matthew 5:13-16 - “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
2. Salt is lasting. It Preserves.
a. As people of God, we have a responsibility to preserve our world from decay.
b. Why do you think God wants to use us to help preserve the world?
3. Salt makes things taste better.
a. If salt loses its flavor, it should be thrown out.
b. If you, as salt, lose your flavor, then you become foolish, and are not good for anything.
c. Romans 1:21-22 - because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools,
d. What are things we can do to keep our “Flavor,” and be useful for building His Kingdom?
C. Pastor Doug taught us that salt loses its flavor when it does not stay close to the rock.
1. As Kingdom Influencers, we need to stay next to our rock, Jesus, and stay in His Word.
a. What are things that we can do to spend more time in His Word?
2. If we are not in His Word, it is highly likely that we will become contaminated in some areas of our lives.
a. Share a time when parts of your life became “Contaminated,” and how turning to His Word helped you.
3. Once we are contaminated, we act foolish and lose our flavor and influence.
a. If we find ourselves in this situation, what should we do to restore our flavor and influence?
D. Stay near Him and His Word, and you won’t have to hunt for people to influence, He will send them to you.
1. Acts 8:5-8 – Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed, and lame were healed. And there was great joy in that city.
a. Share a time when you witnessed God moving in an amazing way because someone made themselves available to Him, to be used for His purposes.
2. Acts 8:26-27a - Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is desert. So he arose and went.
a. We need to take the first step.
b. Share a time when God sent you somewhere, you obediently followed, and what He did because of that obedience.
3. Acts 8:27b-31 - And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go near and overtake this chariot.”
So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?”
And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him.
a. The Ethiopian was searching.
b. How can we notice someone who is searching for God?
4. Acts 8:34-39 - So the eunuch answered Philip and said, “I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?” Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?”
Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.”
And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing.
a. When the Ethiopian returned home, he brought Jesus with him. Because of this, a massive revival hit Ethiopia.
b. When we share God with others, amazing things can happen.
c. Can you think of a time when you were available and obedient, and God used that to bring about something amazing?
E. Reflection time.
1. What has God spoken to you about in regard to this series?
Tonight, we have the privilege of reviewing parts 2 and 3 of Pastor Doug’s challenging series, “Am I A Witness?”
I. Am I A Witness? – Part 2
A. Am I a witness who takes the 5th?
1. We don’t want to be an MIA witness
2. Luke 5:1-11 - So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets. Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat.
When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”
But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless, at Your word I will let down the net.” And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!”
For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him.
3. If the first instructions that Jesus gave His disciples was to go and be fishers of men, how important do we think sharing our personal story of faith is to the Lord and why?
B. If you are going to fish for people, make sure you have bait.
1. Bait is any story that highlights the goodness of God. Some examples of this are how you got saved, how God has healed you, how He has delivered you from an addiction, how He has restored your marriage, how He has set you free from something, how He has brought your joy back, or anything that highlights God’s goodness in your life.
2. Psalm 34:1-8 - I will bless the Lord at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul shall make its boast in the Lord;
The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
And let us exalt His name together.
I sought the Lord, and He heard me,
And delivered me from all my fears.
They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces were not ashamed.
This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him,
And saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him,
And delivers them.
Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good;
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
3. Why is it important to have bait when witnessing to others about God?
C. If you are going to fish for people, fish where people are.
1. If you limit your story to the walls of the church, you are not maximizing Kingdom building.
2. Don’t stop telling your story at church. It is encouraging and a great place to practice. Just don’t only do it there because most fish aren’t in the church.
3. Most of the time we don’t need to go looking for someone, God will bring them to us. We need to be available and ready to share.
4. Share a time when you weren’t looking, but God brought someone into your life to share with, and you were available and ready.
D. Don’t leave a bad taste in people’s mouths, causing them to not want to hear about God.
1. Don’t be critical, judgmental or legalistic.
2. How can we make sure to not be these ways when we are sharing about God?
E. Every person has an innate desire to know God.
1. Ecclesiastes 3:11 - He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, He has put eternity in their hearts.
2. Jeremiah 24:7 - Then I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the Lord; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God, for they shall return to Me with their whole heart.
3. Since God gave everyone a desire to know Him, what are the things holding you back from sharing the Good News with the people who need to hear it?
II. Am I A Witness? – Part 3
A. Be a Kingdom Influencer.
1. As believers, God is calling us to be “Influencers” for His Kingdom. We are called to be “Influencers” in this world today.
2. What are some things we can say and do to be Kingdom Influencers in our daily lives?
B. Be Salt to a world that is lacking.
1. Matthew 5:13-16 - “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
2. Salt is lasting. It Preserves.
a. As people of God, we have a responsibility to preserve our world from decay.
b. Why do you think God wants to use us to help preserve the world?
3. Salt makes things taste better.
a. If salt loses its flavor, it should be thrown out.
b. If you, as salt, lose your flavor, then you become foolish, and are not good for anything.
c. Romans 1:21-22 - because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools,
d. What are things we can do to keep our “Flavor,” and be useful for building His Kingdom?
C. Pastor Doug taught us that salt loses its flavor when it does not stay close to the rock.
1. As Kingdom Influencers, we need to stay next to our rock, Jesus, and stay in His Word.
a. What are things that we can do to spend more time in His Word?
2. If we are not in His Word, it is highly likely that we will become contaminated in some areas of our lives.
a. Share a time when parts of your life became “Contaminated,” and how turning to His Word helped you.
3. Once we are contaminated, we act foolish and lose our flavor and influence.
a. If we find ourselves in this situation, what should we do to restore our flavor and influence?
D. Stay near Him and His Word, and you won’t have to hunt for people to influence, He will send them to you.
1. Acts 8:5-8 – Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed, and lame were healed. And there was great joy in that city.
a. Share a time when you witnessed God moving in an amazing way because someone made themselves available to Him, to be used for His purposes.
2. Acts 8:26-27a - Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is desert. So he arose and went.
a. We need to take the first step.
b. Share a time when God sent you somewhere, you obediently followed, and what He did because of that obedience.
3. Acts 8:27b-31 - And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet. Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go near and overtake this chariot.”
So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?”
And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him.
a. The Ethiopian was searching.
b. How can we notice someone who is searching for God?
4. Acts 8:34-39 - So the eunuch answered Philip and said, “I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?” Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him. Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?”
Then Philip said, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.”
And he answered and said, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing.
a. When the Ethiopian returned home, he brought Jesus with him. Because of this, a massive revival hit Ethiopia.
b. When we share God with others, amazing things can happen.
c. Can you think of a time when you were available and obedient, and God used that to bring about something amazing?
E. Reflection time.
1. What has God spoken to you about in regard to this series?